Itzulia 2025: Healy conquers Gernika from the escape

USPA NEWS - The Irishman triumphs from the breakaway, while Almeida maintains the lead in the Itzulia 2025

The fifth stage of the Itzulia Euskadi was epic in the town of Gernika-Lumo, where the intrepid Ben Healy, from the EF Education-EasyPost team, emerged as the undisputed winner

The day began in Orduña with a less demanding route than the previous days, but with the peculiarity of its winding roads and its constant ups and downs, which gave an unpredictable character to the competition. For Pello Bilbao, who designed part of the route, this stage had a special nuance that increased the expectation.

From the first pass, the battle to lead the day's escape lit the flame. The protagonists were none other than Pello Bilbao (TBV), Bruno Armirail (DAT), the aforementioned Ben Healy (EFE), Alex Baudin (EFE), Warren Barguil (TPP) and Julian Alaphilippe (TUD), forming an elite group capable of disturbing even the most experienced in the peloton. This brave advance managed to open a maximum difference of 2 minutes and 45 seconds, while the UAE Team Emirates-XRG, commanded by leader Joao Almeida, kept a tight watch on the lost time.

When the clock showed 56 kilometers to go, Healy left his fellow escapees behind in a masterful attack that propelled him to glory. With an overwhelming pace and a growing advantage over the chasing group, the Irish runner established himself as the man of the day. Although the peloton behind was facing a frantic fight to reduce the distance, the efforts of squads such as Ineos Grenadiers, Cofidis and UAE were not enough to close the gap.

With 20 kilometers to go, the dreams of Bilbao, the local hero, crumbled when he was absorbed by the peloton along with the others who were being pursued. Meanwhile, at the top of the race, Healy remained unstoppable, reaffirming his stated objective at the beginning of the day: to be part of the breakaway and seek victory.

At the end of the journey, hostilities over the general classification broke out. The attacks orchestrated by Florian Lipowitz (RBH) and Alex Aranburu (COF) were responded with solvency by the yellow jersey, protected by the strategic strength of its team. However, figures like Max Schachmann fell behind, losing contact with the leaders.



Finally, Ben Healy crossed the finish line almost two minutes ahead, crowning himself a titan of the stage. For his part, Joao Almeida remained solid in the overall lead, leaving the outcome of the competition pending for the sixth stage.

"It was a strong group," Ben said at the end. "We didn't want to take any risks, so I went out with the wind at my tail and today I had very good legs, so I was able to continue to widen the gap and stay on the finish line."

Classifications after the 5th stage

Stage winner: Ben Healy (EFE, 91)

Individual general classification: Joao Almeida (UAD, 1)

Mountain classification: Bruno Armirail (DAT, 61)

General classification by points: Joao Almeida (UAD, 1)

Best young overall classification: Brieuc Rolland (GFC, 126)

General team classification: XDS Astana

General classification for best Basque speaker: Alex Aranburu (COF, 51)

Most combative: Ben Healy (EFE, 91)